Inspire Yoga

Mindful movements provide a productive outlet to release pent up energy that would otherwise make us feel aggressive and anxious, helping us to feel more relaxed and experience better quality sleep. Exercise decreases the risk of developing certain diseases especially high blood pressure and cholesterol. Chronic stress physiologically releases a hormone called adrenaline which contributes to increased risk of heart disease, signs of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, exercise decreases stress levels and regulates adrenaline levels keeping heart disease at bay. The mindful movement is an embodied learning, it releases endorphins but also forces us to pay attention to our breathing that promotes feelings of calm and wellness and frees us from the cycle of negative thought patterns.  The movement paired up with breath awareness releases stress, physiologically the release of hormones from the exercise decreases the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol  from...

Sleep is a fundamental to good health – but are we getting enough? In Hong Kong it is cited that 80% of the population are sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation is classified as getting 6 or less hours of sleep per night, we wait to aim for an optimal 8 hours of sleep every night. The seminar exposes the health risks involved in running a constant sleep deprivation. If you are suffering from any of the below symptoms it is important to address your sleep hygiene: -Low energy – Poor mood -Sluggish digestion -Erratic appetite -Sudden weight gain While we are asleep major repair works take place in the brain, cardio vascular system and immune cells. Waking up refreshed is important for your health as well as setting the tone of each day. The workshop provides practical tips around improving quality of sleep and what to do if you suffer from insomnia. Experiencing breathing techniques, meditation and basic yoga poses to help induce sleep if you suffer from restlessness and sp...

We spend so much time in front of our computers sitting, do you suffer from back pain as a result? Stiffness around your neck and shoulders? Poor blood circulation from the lack of physical movement? Occupational tension is a term coined from the physical stress placed on our body from our modern-day sedentary lifestyle. We will go through basic movements that can be done at the desk in your work attire to help relieve the build-up of tightness around the shoulders, neck, back, and hips from sitting for prolonged periods of time. We demonstrate the importance of posture to breathing, mood, and energy levels. Practical tips on the following topics will be outlined -Spine Mobility -Hip positioning while sitting -Feet alignment while standing -Protecting wrists from tendinitis The first step to making a change is to bring awareness of the problem, these seminars facilitate open discussion and reflection so we are more empowered to direct effort into healthier habits and ...

Having come from a background of investment banking I saw my yoga practice as a time to dissolve tension from my body and release stress from my mind. I used to be a derivatives trader and coping with the time pressure of the job left me feeling very stiff and exhausted. It was then when I realized it was because my mind and body were so disconnected, my mind racing all day and my body completely sedentary at my desk. Yoga helped me to realign the connection by bringing mental stillness and physical agility. It made a tremendous impact on my energy levels and made me feel much more alert at work. I realized by address my body through stretching, strengthening and balancing poses I needed to focus on the subtle rhythm of the breath which in turn freed me from the mental inner chatter that kept me feeling so tight. In the ‘work hard, play hard’ environment of Hong Kong I wanted to be able to share this gift of inner calm and proper alignment with my colleagues who were burnt out and ...

Brain health is intrinsically connected to wellness. Do you feel like your mental sharpness is predetermined? Your intelligence and memory will fade over time? In this workshop we demystify the brain and mind to bring tangible differences in how much you retain, absorb and learn. Discussing diet, lifestyle and awareness we are able to change our state of mind from stressed to active which transforms our ability to think and assimilate information. The takeaways from the workshop you can expect are as follows -The one food that promotes inflammation and decay -The role of stress on the brain -Breathing techniques to balance right and left hemisphere of the brain The first step to making a change is to bring awareness of the problem, these seminars facilitate open discussion and reflection so we are more empowered to direct effort into healthier habits and more sustainable practice. We combine yoga and mindfulness with scientific research and findings for an effective wor...

Have you ever noticed yourself slouching at your desk or during a meeting? For those who sit in front of a computer 8-10 hours a day, it is inevitable that your body suffers from stiffness around the neck, shoulders and back areas. If stiffness is not timely released, the physical stress could eventually lead to other issues, such as chronic pain and potential risk in restricting blood flow. More than often than not, many living and working in this hectic city have limited time on hand to go out of their way to attend yoga classes in a studio; because of this, home practices and private yoga lessons become crucial and beneficial to sustain a healthy work-life balance. Further, spending 15 minutes a day –  whether in the morning, midday before the lunch break, coming out of a dreadful meeting, or late in the evening –  is one of the best ways to release stiffness, improve posture, and foster this lifelong habit. After a long night of sleep, your body needs time to adj...

Neck and shoulder stiffness is a common symptom for people in the modern era. Postural habits are the ultimate culprit. Too many corporate warriors and office dwellers spend long hours in front of the computers.  When we are stuck physically idle in the same position for hours with minimal movements, the muscle and connective tissue tend to be dehydrated and weakened. The next most common cause for problematic neck and shoulders is smartphone usage. Since the birth of the smartphone, wifi and unlimited data plan, people of all ages are constantly on their device for a long period of time.  The increased usage of the mobile phone becomes a mindless action during commute; it is so severe that many people are not aware of their poor postural habit. Next time, take a few minutes and observe your train/bus/ferry ride – you will be surprised to see the number of people slouching. Fortunately, this poor postural habit can be corrected consciously. The most natural way to hydrate ...

There has been a growing trend in Hong Kong’s  wellness industry  towards corporate wellness, is catching o because it is now what is popular or are there actual bottom line results to investing in employee wellbeing? The short answer is yes, investing in employee health and satisfaction has proved with many multinational companies that are making a positive impact on the profitability of the firm. Tech was first to adopt  wellness practices in the workplace , financial institutions and law firms are quickly following suit as they are threatened by high burn out rate due to sustained high-stress levels in the office. Here is the 3 main benefits corporate wellness programs advocate: Increased job satisfaction Learning practical tools in how to release stress, align posture and undo the occupational tension from being in front of the desk all day not only allows employees to feel better in their body, they also feel better in themselves and feel better about being...

Are you looking for a natural way to relax and sustain your energy levels? Don’t miss this  exclusive event , where the founder of Inspire Yoga, Neelam Harjani, will be explaining her proprietary 5 step model of tension release included in her book ‘Secrets to Live Stress Free’. Learn about the science of sleep from Dr Kate Bridle, Founder of Sleep HQ and experience instant calming and restorative exercises that will ensure you get a deep restful sleep every night. Get your tickets  here ! “ A brief overview of the science of sleep including practical take-home tips on how to immediately start improving your sleep quality.” Speaker : Kate Bridle, BSc, RPSGT, CSSC With over 14 years experience working in the field of Sleep Medicine, Kate is one of a small number of highly accomplished, globally certified sleep physiologists. She has vast clinical experience having spent 9 years working in the UK’s largest Sleep Disorder Centre in London. She has contributed to pub...

The yogic ideal of movement encourages the body to move freely and increases your range of motion. By regularly practicing yoga postures you will begin to experience your spine and muscles becoming more supple thereby preventing joint stiffening and muscle shortening that often accompanies injury, inactivity, and aging. The 4 main elements of yoga pose used in Spinal Care Therapy include: Forward Bends Backward Bends Lateral Stretches Twists A Basic Yoga Exercises Can Protect & Develop a Healthy Spine Maintaining a healthy and limber spine is of utmost importance as it has a direct effect on your health and vitality; the structure is the foundation of your body. The 33 vertebrae enclose the spinal cord which houses all the nerves that stem to the brain. Each vertebra has nerve openings that branch out to every part of the body. During a yoga class, we often stretch our back in 6 directions: forwards and, laterally on each side and on each side. This creates a ...

This took a lot of introspection before I could admit to this. Looking back when I was working in finance in Hong KongI would get a real rush from a volatile day in the markets as a derivatives trader. It was the rush of all that movement, a flurry of emotion, the unpredictability of the day, the irrationality of the price reactions, it made me feel alive. So much so that I began to seek it, looking for high-risk activities, volatile relationships, in total belief that faster is better, more is better, louder is better. I normalized a high-stress environment in my work and personal life and this constant mental chatter just couldn’t get enough. But what happens when you don’t switch off? I lost my ability to switch off, it started to show in my health, chronic stress meant that my  sleep quality  suffered, I was experiencing acute lower  back pain  in my mid 20s, my digestion was impaired, and I could see my body breaking down as a result of the mental agitation ...

When we are in stressful situations and in toxic relationships, we can’t help but feel helpless, our thoughts get stuck replaying a negative feedback loop, reliving difficult experiences and feeling the hurtful emotions associated to the events. How do we move from feeling victimized to empowered? When we try to control our outside environments we soon realize that there is only a limited amount of force we can exert and actually we don’t have a say in how others think or act. However, when we move from blaming others as the source of our problem to reflecting within, it is how we are affected, how we respond and how we come across that govern our frame of mind and yet we relinquish total control of our inner environment to the ebb and flow of the external environment.   Can you change? Don’t you feel lost and insecure when you are stressed? And when you are peaceful isn’t it easy to feel loving, generous and kind? Our negative emotions are grouped together, fear, anger,...

In today’s busy pace of life, we can be so consumed by our own goals that time and energy needs to be consciously invested to ensure we stay healthy, emotionally, physically and mentally. When we are off kilter the main aspect of our life that usually help to support and sustain us begins to deteriorate- our relationships. Have you noticed in times of stress and pressure you have snapped at your partner only to regret your hasty actions? Or that you are so focused on yourself that you forget to even ask them about their day? Or that your energy is zapped from the day that the thought of physical intimacy is tiring?   You are not alone, these are all signs of stress causing an imbalance in our emotional wellbeing. When we are chronically stressed, overstimulated by the influx of information and bombarded with daily demands we operate from a state of emergency. Physiologically our body is in the fight-or-flight response more, focusing on immediate threats, directing energy only...

We have all heard that its good to meditate, but do you know why? If you are convinced by the scientific facts behind meditation chances are you are more likely to dedicate consistent time towards the practice. Let’s start with a reflection, are you truly happy? Would your life to be more joyful and peaceful? In the modern day, we are plagued with the notion that more is better. That if we emulate a certain lifestyle, acquire certain possessions, embody a certain fashion it will lead us to happiness. Living in a fast-paced city of Hong Kong, with a sensory overload of stimulus and advertisements we are bombarded with a value that we need ‘x’ to feel better. That somehow right now, as we are, we are not enough. This sense of unworthiness is deep-rooted in our society, take a look at the rising rates of anxiety and suicide amidst the climb in the standard of living, the amenities, the healthcare, the education, the availability of food and water. With more the basic needs provided,...

Feeling stuck on what to get mom for mother’s day? Does she always say ‘I don’t need anything’? Isn’t she always happy to see you? Why not share with her the gift of presence. Get quality time together, spend it in sacred silence where you are both investing in creating habits or health, harmony, and happiness. This is a perfect connection to our more peaceful feminine nature, whether we have a young daughter or an elderly mother, the bond between mothers and daughters is truly special and one worth celebrating more! We have seen relationships blossom, putting aside all differences and getting on the mat together, breathing together, sharing moments of strength together and deep relaxation together- isn’t this some more families need? We become much more aware of ourselves during a sincere yoga practice, it is a journey to dispel any physical discomforts, create space and freedom in our movements and finally to arrive at a frame of mind that encompasses peace, love, and joy. Wh...